Genesee County Library Millage Passes

It was close early, but the Genesee County Library Millage passed with about 57 percent of the vote Tuesday.

The millage is a county-wide effort to help the 19 branches—including Fenton's Jack R. Winegarden Library—to continue to operate at their current level.  

The millage covers six years, increase taxes by .25 mills--or $0.25 on each $1,000 of taxable property value--and would raise approximately $2,208,000 in its first year to funds such things as books, librarian and staff salaries, computers and a variety of programs.

"We are really pleased that voters got out and showed their confidence in us," said Genesee District Library spokesman Trent Smiley. "We look forward to serving the residents of Genesee County."

State funding for the library has decreased by 57 percent and is expected to be reduced even further, while property tax revenues have also decreased by 15 percent.